KITCHEN

Is Tower Hamlets killing the community?

 

Tower Hamlets is quickly becoming one of the most populated boroughs in London, with the waiting list for a one bedroom property exceeding 7 years, which only increases with the house size.

 

Now that demand is so high, councils in Tower Hamlets are being forced to build more properties but at what expense?

 

Amie Clark, 22, a receptionist, said, “I have lived in Poplar all my life and have watched the community slowly become smaller. It seems the more people who move here, the more the people that live here get screwed over by the council. One example is the community hall, it’s only small but they used to open it every Wednesday and Thursday night so that all the kids could go in there and have something to do, Now we’ve just got a letter through to say they are knocking it down. Why? To build more flats of course.”

 

The Hind Grove community hall is a small hall in the centre of the Hind Grove estate and had different clubs in there every weeknight, from children’s arts and gardening clubs to a women’s only kickboxing class and bingo for the over 60’s.

 

 

 

 

Elle Bingham, 13, Poplar, said, “I used to go to the gardening and art club down there, I enjoyed it because I got to grow my own fruit and veg in there, which made me want to eat more of it. Then suddenly they just stopped it and said the clubs would be held elsewhere but the new hall is over 30 minutes away on a bus, i’m not going that far, but then they wanna moan at us for sitting in the street, we can’t win.”

 

In a statement released from the council, they said, “There is a high demand for properties in this area, and the hall was only being used for things that could be held elsewhere, freeing up space for us to develop more properties, which will bring more money into this community.”

 

The residents have started a petition which can be signed by visiting any of the local shops or events being held, they hope the petition will force the council to re-open the community centre and bring the weekly clubs back.

 

One resident is even attempting to take the council to court as she cannot go to the bingo club anymore because the new hall isn’t wheelchair accessible, she is arguing that this is a form of discrimination and the council should be ‘ashamed’ of intentionally excluding wheelchair residents.

 

Poplar Harca council are still holding all of their easter events planned for Hind Grove community hall in other locals halls, all details can be found on their website or by clicking here.